"Children are especially vulnerable to second-hand smoke and, contrary to some misperceptions, opening the window in a car does not eliminate the health risks."

Chief Executive Officer of VicHealth, Dr Rob Moodie, said rules around seatbelt use, or the way a child is seated in a car reflect the wide support for protecting the safety of younger passengers.

"We already regulate the car environment with the safety of children in mind. Looking at ways to eliminate second-hand smoke in cars when children are present is a natural extension of this."

"The are many different things to consider when it comes to smoking in cars when children are present, including the health consequences of exposure to second-hand smoke, the safety issues of smoking and driving and also questions involving enforcement and role-modelling," said Dr Moodie.

Opinion whether smoking should be allowed in cars when children are present